May children fly alone?

Karina Kaca, lawyer of the law office INLAT PLUS, 30.03.2012.Print version

Question: My ex-husband lives in UK. He invited our daughter (11-year old) to visit him for the spring holidays. Most likely she’ll have to fly alone because I can’t accompany her due to work. May a child fly alone, won’t she have any problems?

Answer: Yes, children over 6 year old may fly unaccompanied. Upon
crossing borders by himself/herself he or she shall have the following
documents:

-
valid pass;

-
notary certified permission for independently crossing
border by a child, signed by yourself (translated into English);

Besides each airline company may
have its own restrictions and rules relating to children flying unaccompanied
by the parents, e.g. some airlines allow children to fly direct routes only.
Other airlines may demand written confirmation of the fact that adults will
meet the child in the airport upon arrival.

Despite the minimum allowed age
of 6 years, airline companies may establish their own rules relating to the age
of unaccompanied children. Specific airline companies disallow 12-14 year old
children to fly unaccompanied. Therefore it would be wise to find out the rules
of certain airline relating to children flying alone.

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